As investigators search for the cause of the explosion, environmentalists said that the situation highlighted lax regulations in Texas for plants handling dangerous chemicals — especially those located near schools.
Environment
Coverage of climate, conservation, natural resources, and environmental policy shaping the state, from The Texas Tribune.
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Energy
Officials Search for Answers After Explosion
The day after an explosion at a fertilizer plant leveled parts of the Central Texas town of West, officials are still searching for answers about the tragedy that has left at least five people dead.
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Energy
In Drought-Stricken Texas, an Upside to Hurricane Season
With about 90 percent of Texas still weathering drought conditions, climate experts say tropical storm and hurricane landfall could be the best hope to get rain to parts of Texas that will desperately need it this summer.
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Bidness As Usual
For Texas Politicians, Energy Dollars Plentiful
Friendliness toward the drilling industry is typical in Texas, where many lawmakers receive campaign contributions from oil and gas groups or have investments in drilling companies.
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Energy
Railroad Commission Chairman Apologizes for Retweeting Noose Image
UPDATED: Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman apologized on Friday for retweeting an image that showed a noose beside the names of Republican U.S. senators who had voted down a gun-control filibuster.
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Energy
House to Feds: Pressure Mexico to Release Water
The Texas House on Thursday voted to formally ask the U.S. State Department to apply pressure on the Mexican government to release water owed to Texas under the terms of a treaty signed in 1944.
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Energy
Senate Sets Up Debate on Rainy Day Fund Spending
The full Texas Senate will consider a plan to spend about half of the projected $11.8 billion balance in the state’s Rainy Day Fund for transportation and water projects, though Democrats plan to push for money for schools as well.
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Energy
Buzz Over Emerging Shale Formation Stirs Concern
Across the U.S., drillers are finding shale formations they hope could become the next big oil play for the American energy industry. But hype over emerging oil fields, like Texas’ Cline Shale, has highlighted worries about drilling companies’ intentions.
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Energy
Perry to Obama: Press Mexico for Water
In a letter to President Obama on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Perry urged the federal government to press Mexico to release more water to Texas under the terms of a 1944 treaty.
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Energy
Getting Serious About a Texas-Size Drought
In a state fabled for its everything-is-bigger mentality, the idea of conserving resources is taking hold. Texas political and business leaders have realized that no water equals no business.